Headphones are usually a no-go zone for me when it comes to cycling - I like to be aware of my surroundings, especially when cycling in busy urban traffic. However, AfterShokz have come up with a way you can listen to music on the move without compromising safety, with the AfterShokz Bluez 2 headphones.
AfterShokz Bluez 2 Neon bone conductor headphones are really cheek-phones: as the name suggests, they use bone conduction technology to enable you to hear music or calls while leaving your ears free. Weighing in at a svelte 42g, they come with a tension band and charge via a standard micro USB cable. They are great for a commute, or a longer ride when you want to hear some tunes yet still stay tuned in to the world around you.
Enabled by bluetooth technology (no trailing wires here), you can hook your phone up and put it away in a jersey pocket, but still have full control over your music and calls.
Until now, I would never have ridden with headphones in, because it is dangerous not being able to hear people behind you, cars or external noise. The AfterShokz end the debate on whether or not you should listen to music whilst riding, because now you can safely.
The headphones are sleek and light, and the bone conduction element is ingenious. It basically works by sending sound waves from the pads on the headphones through your cheekbones. This works similarly to your ear, and the sound vibrations sound as though they are going to your eardrums. It's very simple, but very clever.
This means you can hear music while your ears are free to pay attention to all other sounds around you. It's a little like listening to music via a speaker: you can enjoy the music while still being alive to ambient sound.
The fit of the AfterShokz is really good. They hook over your ears and wrap around the back of your head. I have a smaller head but the adjustable tension band on the headphones made it possible to achieve a good fit. So, regardless of head size, the AfterShokz are flexible, comfortable and will fit everyone.
Another useful safety feature for cyclists or runners is that the AfterShokz have a volume limiter on them, so you can't go over the top, no matter how tempting that might be when your favourite song comes on. You can also manually control the volume using switches on the device itself. I turned the volume down whilst riding in built up areas so I could hear traffic perfectly well, and then turned the volume up on safer cycle paths. Even on windy days, I could hear all my music.
Speaking of controls, these are easy too. There is one main button on the ear pad that you use to skip a song, answer a call, or pause the song. The volume controls are towards the rear of the headphones and take a little getting used too, but once you grasp it, it's easy.
As far as sound quality goes, they are really pretty good. You do lose some of the clarity because they are not directly playing into your ears, but it's a small price to pay to listen to music safely.
Priced at around £90 depending on where you shop, you may think that's a hefty price tag. But you do get a lot for your money. With AfterShokz you can make and answer calls, listen to your sat nav, and of course, your music.
I found myself using the AfterShokz on all solo rides. I don't wear them in groups because I tend to chat to people. But they are great on commutes, training rides and leisurely cycles too.
They fit well under a helmet, are sweat resistant, the battery lasts 6 hours and they tell you when they need charged. Overall, there really is nothing bad about these headphones. I never go out alone without them now.
AfterShokz Bluez 2 Bone Conduction Headphones, £89.95 from aftershokz.co.uk
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